Church of Scotland to close churches as attendance drops

Around 60,000 people attend Sunday services compared to 88,000 before the pandemic

Selena Jackson

The Church of Scotland is warning it will have to close hundreds of churches as it faces dwindling membership numbers.

The church also says it’s struggling to fill vacancies for ministers – with the vast majority approaching retirement.

STV News is now on WhatsApp

Get all the latest news from around the country

Follow STV News
Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

WhatsApp channel QR Code

Today's Top Stories

Body recovered in emergency search of loch for man last seen swimming
Glasgow & West

Body recovered in search for missing swimmer in loch 

McArthur ‘confident’ ahead of key vote on assisted dying bill at Holyrood
Politics

McArthur ‘confident’ ahead of key vote on assisted dying bill at Holyrood

Fire crews still battling large wildfire in West Lothian
Edinburgh & East

Around 50 firefighters and helicopter battling large wildfire 

Teen biker who died in crash involving car near cemetery in the Highlands named
Highlands & Islands

Teen biker who died in crash involving car near cemetery named

Motorcyclist dies in crash with HGV shutting road for ten hours
North East & Tayside

Motorcyclist dies in crash with HGV shutting road for ten hours

Paramedics taken to hospital and man arrested after ambulance crash
Edinburgh & East

Paramedics taken to hospital and man arrested after ambulance crash

Hundreds march in colourful costumes for Edinburgh’s first Tartan Parade
Edinburgh & East

Hundreds march in colourful costumes for Edinburgh’s first Tartan Parade

Popular Videos

Artist creates miniature replicas of Edinburgh’s pubs
Play icon
Edinburgh & East

Artist creates miniature replicas of Edinburgh's pubs

New display examines medical evolution at Tayside’s biggest hospital
North East & Tayside

New display examines medical evolution at Tayside's biggest hospital

First Minister John Swinney won’t support assisted dying vote 
Play icon
Politics

First Minister John Swinney will not support assisted dying vote

Boy, 14, detained for five years for killing gang rival in row over £50
Play icon
Glasgow & West

Boy, 14, detained for five years for killing gang rival in row over £50

Video shows RNLI crews rescuing pair stuck in chest-deep water 
Play icon
Edinburgh & East

Video shows dramatic lifeboat rescue of two people stuck in chest-deep water 

Latest in Scotland

TV star Liz Carr to speak out against assisted dying ahead of Holyrood vote
Scotland

TV star Liz Carr to speak out against assisted dying ahead of Holyrood vote

John Swinney leads tributes after Kwik Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer dies aged 84
Scotland

John Swinney leads tributes after Kwik Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer dies aged 84

Celebrations take place across Scotland to mark appointment of Pope Leo XIV
Play icon
Scotland

Celebrations take place across Scotland to mark appointment of Pope Leo XIV

Aberdeen University facing up to 70 job losses amid £5.5m financial crisis
Play icon
North East & Tayside

Aberdeen University facing up to 70 job losses amid £5.5m financial crisis

Trans women banned from female toilets at Scottish Parliament building
Politics

Trans women banned from female toilets at Scottish Parliament building

Alcohol ban on ScotRail trains to be lifted next month
Scotland

Alcohol ban on ScotRail trains to be lifted next month

MSP Gillian Mackay announces bid for Scottish Greens co-leadership
Politics

MSP Gillian Mackay announces bid for Scottish Greens co-leadership

Trending Now

Pope Leo calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza in first Sunday blessing
UK & International

Pope Leo calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza in first Sunday blessing

Tesco cheese product recalled over potential listeria contamination
UK & International

Tesco cheese product recalled over potential listeria contamination

'A historic day': Starmer and Trump agree trade deal in telephone call
UK & International

'A historic day': Starmer and Trump agree trade deal in telephone call